Skip to content

Oriental Arborvitae

Platycladus Orientalis

Design with this plant

Overview

Arborvitae, or Platycladus orientalis, is an elegant, evergreen conifer commonly used as a privacy screen or accent plant. Mature specimens reach 15-20 feet in height with a spread of 6-10 feet, exhibiting a narrow, conical form that requires minimal maintenance. Its dense, scale-like foliage offers year-round interest, shifting from bright green to bronze in winter. Prefers full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil, proving to be hardy in Zones 6 through 11.

Sun Full, HalfWater MediumZones 4–9Climate Temperate
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — evergreen conifer commonly used as a privacy screen or accent plant
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — conical form that requires minimal maintenanceOriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — Mature specimens reach 15-20 feet in height with a spread of 6-10 feetOriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — Prefers full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil, proving to be hardy in Zones 6 through 11Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — Its dense, scale-like foliage offers year-round interest, shifting from bright green to bronze in winterOriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — also known as the Oriental ThujaOriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — It can reach heights of 10 to 60 feet with a spread of 10 to 25 feet+31

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Medium
USDA zones
4–9

Shape & size

Classification

Family
Cupressaceae
Climate
Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (38)

Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — evergreen conifer commonly used as a privacy screen or accent plant
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — conical form that requires minimal maintenance
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — Mature specimens reach 15-20 feet in height with a spread of 6-10 feet
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — Prefers full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil, proving to be hardy in Zones 6 through 11
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — Its dense, scale-like foliage offers year-round interest, shifting from bright green to bronze in winter
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — also known as the Oriental Thuja
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — It can reach heights of 10 to 60 feet with a spread of 10 to 25 feet
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — scale-like leaves which are a vibrant green
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — transitioning to a bronze hue in the colder months
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — The leaves emit a distinct fragrance when crushed
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — providing year-round interest
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — which is often considered pleasant and is a characteristic feature
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — upright cones approximately 0.5 inches long
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — as long as the soil is well-draining
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — It does best with full sun to partial shade exposure
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — displaying adaptability to a range of soil conditions
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — it can benefit from occasional pruning
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — it is moderately drought-tolerant
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — Arborvitae should be watered regularly after planting to establish a robust root system
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — To maintain its shape and encourage denser foliage
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — although it requires minimal maintenance overall.<br><br>For irrigation
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — conifer / shrub for full or half
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — making it a dependable choice for landscapers and garden enthusiasts alike
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus Orientalis) — Mature specimens reach 15-20 feet in height with a spread of 6-10 feet; the leaves emit a distinct fragrance

Related plants

Fluffy® Western Arborvitae (Thuja plicata) — feathery yellow-green foliage and a naturally pyramidal shape

Fluffy® Western Arborvitae

Thuja plicata

Full

Weeping Threadleaf Lawson False Cyp (Chamaecyparis Lawsoniana 'Imbricata') — is a coniferous evergreen with a distinctive pendulous form

Weeping Threadleaf Lawson False Cyp

Chamaecyparis Lawsoniana 'Imbricata'

Full · Zones 5–10

Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) — The Coast Redwood, Sequoia sempervirens, is the world's tallest tree species, reaching over 350 feet in height

Coast Redwood

Sequoia sempervirens

Full · Zones 7–10

Degroots Spire Arborvitae (Thuja Occidentalis 'Degroots Spire') — The Thuja occidentalis 'DeGroot's Spire' is a compact

Degroots Spire Arborvitae

Thuja Occidentalis 'Degroots Spire'

Full · Zones 4–9

Snake-Branched Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria Japonica 'Araucarioides') — is a distinctive conifer with a conical shape and dense growth

Snake-Branched Japanese Cedar

Cryptomeria Japonica 'Araucarioides'

Full · Zones 6–9

Grey Owl Juniper (Juniperus Virginiana 'Grey Owl') — The Juniperus virginiana 'Grey Owl' is a graceful evergreen shrub featuring silvery-gray needle-like

Grey Owl Juniper

Juniperus Virginiana 'Grey Owl'

Full · Zones 4–9